3 Promoted Edison Police Officers Had Been Disciplined For Nudity

EDISON, NJ — Three Edison police officers promoted on Monday had been previously disciplined for incidents involving nudity over a decade ago, according to a report.

One officer, Ioannis "John" Mpletsakis, was fired after he fled the scene of a 2005 car crash while naked. A judge later rude termination was too harsh a punishment, and Mpletsakis was rehired, nj.com reported.

In another incident, David Salardino and Brian Rossmeyer were arrested in Ocean City, Maryland for allegedly posing naked in front of a hotel room window in 2005. Salardino was given a 24 hour probation. Rossmeyer was not yet working for the Edison Township Police Department; he was hired in 2005.

“It is irresponsible – not to mention reprehensible – for the news media to dredge up decade-old incidents to besmirch these three officers. Each of these officers have matured personally and professionally. Each routinely demonstrates their commitment to law enforcement and concern for the Edison community. In short, they have earned these promotions,” Chief Thomas Bryan said in a statement sent to Patch. He cited their scores of "a rigorous written examination administered by an independent, California-based testing agency" as the basis for their promotions.

"Our Police Department's compliment of officers is better educated and more professional than ever before," Mayor Thomas Lankey said in a statement about the promotions. "We are now ushering in a new generation of police leadership who will bring fresh ideas and new approaches to meet the evolving challenges of municipal law enforcement."

Mpletsakis and Rossmeyer were promoted from patrolmen to sergeants; Salardino was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant.

Overall, six patrolmen and detectives were promoted to the rank of sergeant; four sergeants to lieutenant; and four lieutenants to captain. All promotions filled positions opened by retirements.

Patrolman Michael Felcetto and Detectives Robert Duffy, Michael Horvath, and Steve Todd were promoted to Sergeant. Sergeants Jeffrey Abrams, Michael Mintchwarner, and Alan Sciarrillo were promoted to Lieutenant. Lieutenants Howard Askelson, Salvatore Filannino, Gregory Formica and Kenneth Schreck were promoted to Captain.

Image 1: Group shot with Mayor Thomas Lankey. Image 2: Newly promoted police Capt. Salvatore Filannino. Image 3: Newly promoted Sergeant Robert Duffy. All images via Edison Township